Well, it's the 2nd snow day and have loved watching all the birds at
my feeders, but it was time to get outside.
I walked the MKT trail into the wetlands (Forum nature area). My
house backs up to the trail so it's kinda my backyard. :0)
Just east of the 3 mile marker on the MKT trail there is a nice stand
of tall cedars on the north side. I have seen a Hermit Thrush here
regularly and today there were 2. They were quite active hopping all
around. With them were Cardinals, Bluejays, White-Throated Sparrows,
a Northern Mockingbird, a Downy Woodpecker, 2 Flickers, Juncos, a
Carolina Wren, and a Red-Bellied Woodpecker.
At the wetlands I saw the juvenile Bald Eagle that has been hanging
around. I usually see the adult, but not today. Since Thanksgiving
I've seen both of them on at least 8 walks (I work full-time, so I
don't get out there everyday). The crows were very helpful today in
pointing him out for me. When I first heard the crows I saw a Red-
Tailed Hawk fly away, but the juvenile was there with the crows right
next to him. I saw Fox, Swamp, White-Throated and Song Sparrows along
with Juncos, Black-Capped Chickadees, and Cardinals. I had seen the
Ring-Billed Gulls the other day that Carol Weston mentioned, but they
weren't there today.
I cut over to Twin Lakes and there is quite a bit of open water.
There were about 75 Canada Geese and a pair of Gadwells.
The 3 highlights of my feeder watching has been a Yellow-rumped
Warbler that really enjoys the heated bird bath. I also was
interested to watch a Titmouse making a call that I hadn't associated
with him like his normal "chatter". He was vocalizing, but from his
throat. I hadn't seen this before. It was a 2 note call. I kept
thinking he would be opening his beak, but his throat expanded while
his beak remained closed. Learn something new everyday. From the
warmth of my family room window yesterday, I saw the adult bald eagle
soaring over the wetlands. Truly majestic!
Good birding,
Lottie Bushmann
Columbia, MO
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